Experts search in Meath for IRA victims' remains

SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS working with the Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains have begun to examine a site in Co Meath …

SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS working with the Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains have begun to examine a site in Co Meath where the IRA is believed to have buried two of the so-called Disappeared.

A spokesman for the commission confirmed that “representatives are in the area and are carrying out initial scientific work”. This includes using geophysical and other technical equipment which was not available when the site was first excavated by gardaí nearly 10 years ago.

The IRA says it buried Kevin McKee and Séamus Wright, both 25-year-old men from Belfast, at Coghalstown Wood near Wilkinstown after it abducted and murdered them in 1972.

They were the first people to be “disappeared” by the IRA.

This initial work is just the start of a process; if it finds any evidence that there could be a secret grave the commission will have the option of using a special cadaver dog to try and pinpoint its location.

Two unsuccessful searches for their burial places have been carried out in the last 10 years.

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